HC Deb 26 May 2004 vol 421 cc1701-2W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reduce waiting times for drug rehabilitation treatment in Chorley; what the budget is for the drug action team in Chorley; how many people have been seen by the drug action team in each of the last three years; and what his latest estimate is of waiting times for drug rehabilitation treatment in Lancashire. [165394]

Miss Melanie Johnson

The information requested is not available centrally as Chorley is only one of the constituent parts of the Lancashire drug action team (DAT). There were 2,874 people receiving drug treatment in Lancashire in 2000–01. This is the latest available data. Information on waiting times at DAT level is not currently available, but the National Treatment Agency's programme to reduce waiting times has successfully achieved falls in waiting times across the country. The latest average waiting time reported for residential rehabilitation is four weeks.

Mr. Benton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in Bootle are receiving drug treatment. [175911]

Miss Melanie Johnson

Bootle is part of Sefton drug action team (DAT). There were 396 people receiving drug treatment in Bootle in 2000–01. This is the latest available data. Data broken down by DAT for 2001–02 and 2002–03 has not yet been finalised and published.